ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) - A new poll suggests that Barack Obama is widening his lead over John McCain in two battleground states but indicates the race is dead even in Ohio, the state that decided the last presidential election.

In a CNN/Time/Opinion Research Corp. survey out Wednesday afternoon, 55 percent of Iowa registered voters who were questioned said that Obama, D-Illinois, is their choice for president, with 40 percent backing McCain, R-Arizona.

That’s more than double the lead that Obama had in a University of Iowa poll taken early last month.

"Obama is winning in all regions of the state - even in the western counties where George W. Bush beat John Kerry by 17 points," said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "Obama is winning rural voters in Iowa - not something you see in many other states."

Iowa’s caucuses kicked off the presidential primary season and launched Obama towards the Democratic presidential nomination.

“Iowa was Barack Obama's breakthrough state,” CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider said. “He won the Democratic caucuses with a powerful organization. John McCain barely competed in the Iowa Republican caucuses. He came in fourth. Obama retains a strong organization in Iowa, where McCain is just beginning to get started.”

It appears to be a similar story here in Minnesota, where the Republicans are holding their national convention this week.

The poll indicates that Obama has a 12-point lead over McCain, 53 percent to 41 percent. That’s up slightly from a 10-point lead Obama held in a Humphrey Institute survey taken last month.

"It's important to note that today's polls don't reflect any boost McCain might get from the GOP convention, because nearly all the interviews were done before the festivites started in Saint Paul," Holland said. "This could be Obama's high-water mark in those states."

It looks like a very different story in Ohio, which has 20 electoral votes up for grabs.

President Bush’s narrow victory in Ohio four years ago clinched his reelection. It looks like it could be just as tight this time around in Ohio. The poll suggests he has a 2-point lead over McCain, 47 percent to 45 percent, which is a virtual tie when taking into account the survey’s 3.5 percentage-point sampling error.

So why’s Ohio different that Iowa and Minnesota?

“In Iowa and Minnesota, white voters are backing Obama,” Schneider said. “In Ohio, white voters are supporting McCain. What about those blue-collar white voters that were so important for Clinton in Ohio? They're pretty solidly for McCain.”

The CNN/Time/Opinion Research Corp. poll was taken August 31-September 2, with 828 registered votes in Iowa, 742 registered voters in Minnesota, and 685 registered voters in Ohio questioned by telephone.

soundoff(295 Responses)

Obama

To Hillary supporters that want to vote for McCain/Palin in '08. First, think about what you are saying, you are going against everything that Hillary campaigned for. Second, if McCain wins it most likely would lead to Palin running in 2012 with a alot of experience as VP, which would be tough to beat. Use logic not emotions when making your decisions the country and the world are counting on you.

Obama/Biden/Clinton '08- we are one team baby!

September 3, 2008 04:44 pm at 4:44 pm |

Greg

Why do so many Americans support Socialism? This is not what this great country was founded upon. You Socialists are going to destroy this country!!

McCain/Palin is the clear choice!!

September 3, 2008 04:47 pm at 4:47 pm |

Sue

McCain will not be able to separate himself from Bush.....Bush and Palin will be the down fall of the Rep Party come November.....A smart man once told me back in 1972 after he had driven Biden arounnd campaigning for his Senate seat....Biden will be Delaware's next Senator.....if that smart man was still alive he would say Obama/Biden will be the next 2 Dem's in the White House

September 3, 2008 04:47 pm at 4:47 pm |

Shane

These polls don't take into account cell phone users. The young will decide the race in Ohio.

September 3, 2008 04:48 pm at 4:48 pm |

Nicole , Portland, OR

All I have to say is, No Way, No How, No McCain. Get em Obama/Biden 08. It's over

September 3, 2008 04:48 pm at 4:48 pm |

Tiffany

The Democratic Party loves this country too!!!! and for some reason the Republicans mind set is off all ways thinking that Republicans loves this country only Obama said ENOUGHT!!! My vote goes to the most QUALIFIED TICKET which is OBAMA/BIDEN to keep the american people safe!!!

September 3, 2008 04:49 pm at 4:49 pm |

Steve Indiana

DEMS crying about Lieberman.
He knows that J McCain and S Palin are the best for this country,
He stands up for what he believes and any way he is a independent

September 3, 2008 04:50 pm at 4:50 pm |

Geri

Please don't count on Iowa to support Obama. He won in Iowa mainly because of the college kids. Can you definitely say they'll go out and vote for him?? Iowa needs to get rid of the caucus and go to voting in the primaries. Not everyone can go to the caucus because they are only held a couple hours a night. This year it got shoved up so far, it was cold, and had snowed so a lot of people didn't make it. I'm still trying to figure out why Texas has both. Don't some of the people get to vote 2x down there.?? I am from Iowa and I am a democrat.

September 3, 2008 04:50 pm at 4:50 pm |

Obama

Oho,Ohio,the rich state in American wants to keep This great Nation at mess again.Please,leave alone Mccain and considering the value of America.We don't to stay at mess again.8 years 're enough for us.

September 3, 2008 04:50 pm at 4:50 pm |

Alisha(Independent voter) MN

McCain definitely lost my vote, with his Veep pick! So far I have not heard a single thing JM and the Repubs plan on doing about the economy??? All I have heard while watching the RNC is Anti-Obama mumble jumble. What a panderers and a hypocrites! The lack of diversity at the RNC is just stomach-turning. I am a proud Minnesotan and I had the pleasure to see all of the Obama excitement this weekend at the state fair! Young, old, African-American, Caucasian, Hispanic, Asia, etc. etc. with Obama T-shirts and Pens! As an independent, I will also do my part to make sure that everyone I knows goes to the poll and Barack the vote!

September 3, 2008 04:51 pm at 4:51 pm |

Brian Metzger

As an Iowan and an Obama supporter, even I will admit the reason that McCain is losing so badly (even in rural areas) is his prior stance against ethanol subsidies. Farmers don't forget an issue like that.

September 3, 2008 04:51 pm at 4:51 pm |

Phillip

Can't stop us.

September 3, 2008 04:51 pm at 4:51 pm |

AB

This is what you get when you put a far right numbnut, cheerleader, with zero national or international experience second in command!!

September 3, 2008 04:51 pm at 4:51 pm |

Bob Indianapolis, IN

Looks like thinking people aren't buying the Swiftboat B.S. and can see through the Anita Bryant of the 21st Century...

September 3, 2008 04:52 pm at 4:52 pm |

me

by reading these blogs it is so obvious that many people are not ready for woman in lead. They are so scared of a woman to be so powerful, they are discriminatory, they have old fashioned views : woman should stay home and cook and tend to children. But some women are so good they CAN do this all + work!

September 3, 2008 04:52 pm at 4:52 pm |

Janel, St. Paul, MN

Question: Is Palin running against Obama or Biden?

It appears the RNC is desperately trying to show she (Palin) is as experienced as Obama. They are failing miserably in this exercise because anyone with common sense knows she falls far short of this claim.

And if she is running against Biden, I will be glued to my TV set as she debates this long-standing experienced senator on the big issues. Hopefully, she won't talk about her experience as a PTA president or mayor of 8,500 citizens. And please, please, may she not tout her family values.

September 3, 2008 04:53 pm at 4:53 pm |

Derrick

THIS IS GREAT. driip..dripp.dripp up the polls 🙂

September 3, 2008 04:53 pm at 4:53 pm |

Brooke

Just wanted to make sure that "Patriot" realizes a small fact that might have escaped his/her notice.....history has shown that some of the technically "smartest" and "most educated" of our presidents have also been the least popular and lousiest of presidents. Having an impressive education resume really doesn't account for a whole lot! I notice that "Patriot "only compares Obama to Palin. Obama sponsored lots of bills while a state senator...wow....big deal...now that really is hard to do!! Also notice that "Patriot" doesn't state what he has sponsored while being a senator in DC. It would be interesting to see what would "change" if Obama became president (I really wouldn't want to see it , but it would be entertaining to watch all these people who think that Obama is going to make a HUGE change in the their lives). I think all these nuts who are crying for change now, would still be crying for change 6 months to 4 years from now if Obama wins. People like to blame someone for their miserable lives (can we all say overspending and living beyond your means) and Bush and Co. have become an easy target!!

September 3, 2008 04:53 pm at 4:53 pm |

Ted

I'm loving this....Obama and Palin are in the news. Obama for all the right reasons. Palin for all the wrong reasons. McSame is lost...only his judgement is is in question!

September 3, 2008 04:54 pm at 4:54 pm |

karen-phoenix

Thank GOD!!! We need Devine intervention-- Please, please God I pray for Obama/Biden. If the reps get in again it is the end of the United States of America as we know it!!! And it would be even worse with McCain and the Gun Toten Momma from the Tundra!

September 3, 2008 04:54 pm at 4:54 pm |

bridgette

Why do some of the Republicans call people who support Obama zombies. Maybe we just listened to Obama and liked what he had to say. They are the one's that's trying to convince themselves and the country that they are behind McCain and his idiotic pick. So who are the zombies?

September 3, 2008 04:54 pm at 4:54 pm |

Hannah Stevens

To JOE KILOZ, why are you saying this? What do you know. I am so frightened of this person who is from the radical right and wants to turn our democracy into a theocracy. And so many people will not pay attention to what is happening at all.

September 3, 2008 04:56 pm at 4:56 pm |

Lynne - Seattle WA

Question!!!!!!

If we aren't suppose to be talking about Governor Palin's unwed preggers daughter...why are the republicans making a big deal out of McCain meeting her?

Hey Republicans – hands of the unmarried preggers teen! Shame on you for putting her in the way of the press!!!!!!!!

September 3, 2008 04:56 pm at 4:56 pm |

FemaleDemDisgustedbyMcPalin

The winning ticket is the one that focuses on issues, not hatred!

OBAMA/BIDEN 08!

September 3, 2008 04:56 pm at 4:56 pm |

armando b.

h.clinton talk to much about insurance, her husband were 8 years in the white house and don't get an insurance for nobody in this country, mr. mccain and mr ted kennedy try to help the inmigration and the congrees vote 'NO' ( democratic congrees ), mr biden said that obama has not experience to be president of the United State and now they are running together, WHAT IS THIS ? 4 more years, if we don't safe the poket we safe the country.USA AND McCAIN, USA AND McCAIN...